Easy Homemade Sugar-Free Apple Sauce

Growing up, I recall every year having the joy of eating homeade apple sauce. Once in elementary school, our teacher would have everyone bring an apple (any kind). We received all sorts of varieties of apples! Apparently, that was the best year of applesauce that had been made; so don't get too hung up on what kinds of apples to use. You can use many different kinds in one batch if you'd like. You probably just don't want all of one variety so that you can have the most depth of flavors and balanced sweet vs tart. Anyway, here's what you'll need to make it:

Photo byAdam and Joanne

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds Golden Delicious* apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 pound MacIntosh apples *
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the apples, apple cider vinegar, and water. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes or until the apples start to soften. Cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove the lid, mix in the cinnamon and salt, cover again, and continue simmering for another 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become very soft and begin to break down. Turn off the heat and blend. For a chunkier applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the apples to your preferred texture. For a smoother applesauce, use a food processor or an immersion blender to blend it to your liking and enjoy warm!

* Notes:

You can use other varieties of apples as well.

Sweetened Version:

• 4 pounds crisp sweet apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 tsp apple pie spice*
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener to taste, optional

Use the same process as above. Essentially, put all in a large pot. (You may add 1/4 cup water to help get a little steam going, but it's not required.) Cook, blend, and enjoy!

* Notes:

If you do not have apple pie spice, you can sub the following: 3/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cardamom, 1/4 tsp ginger